This new song is just a reminder that you have been called to be victorious! I have combined the elements of Christian Hip-hop and Video Game music (The music is from Super Mario World) to make something positive, uplifting, and dance-worthy. I hope and pray that this is a blessing to someone that watches. Be safe everyone!
The internet of the 1990s! Do you remember America Online (AOL) and Netscape Navigator? Who remembers Ask Jeeves and the early versions of Internet Explorer? There was nothing like hearing that static noise coming from your modem before connecting on a dial-up connection. The 90’s references in this video were amazing, as cheesy as the acting was!
I remember the first time that I discovered the beauty of the internet! The year was 1997. My mother picked up a free Netzero disc from our local grocery store, and our computer had Microsoft Windows 95 installed on it. With our first internet service provider (ISP) being Netzero, the service was lesser expensive than America Online, but it was not as fast, even for dial-up internet service.
When I found game websites like http://www.miniclip.com, I was so excited! Although they would load extremely slow, it was worth the wait. I remember being in high school, and everyone was bragging about what version of America Online they had.
Of course, this was well before social media, so the way we connected online was through emails, chat rooms, and soon after personal messengers. I will never forget the first times I used the AOL messenger to message my friends at school, in particular girls. My friends and I would set up times at night to invade chatroom’s and make connections with people, all across the world!
The internet over the years has truly changed the way that people network and learn. Although the internet is flooded with negative content, what would we truly do without it? I prefer to celebrate the good that the internet has provided over the recent few decades. The efficiency it has enhanced for so many people. The opportunities that it has provided. The entertainment that it has introduced. Most importantly, the lives it has changed by connecting people in ways that are positive and genuine. Like myself, my reader gets online today on a computer, a smartphone, or any other device. Think about if you did not have the opportunity to use the benefit of the internet today. Appreciate it, enjoy it, and use it for good.
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V.R.
In year 23xx, the world as we know it was peaceful. After decades of war, bloodshed, and tears the planet Thothar was finally at peace. The robot apocalypse was over and humans finally began to rebuild their broken world. A world once ruled by depression, anxiety, mental illness, and evil was no more. Also, the ways of the past had been completely forgotten.
As the Robot Generation now lived at peace with the human race, rebuilding took place faster than ever. Several members of the Robot Generation were advanced architects, and the quickly created new infrastructure. The leader of the Robot Generation was creater Dr. Yvonne, who made them to be an asset to the humans. All was well, until one day there was discovered to be a software glitch that stemmed from a virus manufactured by the evil scientist T-Mac the Terrible. She created these viruses during the tech boom of the 1990’s, but because they were dormant for so many years people simply thought they were destroyed by 1st and 2nd generation anti-virus software.
One day as Dr. Yvonne was at an event unveiling a new generation of peaceful robots, it was sabotaged when T-Mac glitched her new line of “Super Droids” or “SD’s”, an elite lineup of ultra bots with drone capabilities. The Super Droids were comprised of the following robot leaders, each equipped with the power of their name to use against humanity:
1) Depression Man
2) Anxiety Man
3) Fear Man
4) Jealousy Man
5) Hate Man
6) Slander Man
7) Addiction Man
8) Confusion Man
The Robot Generation was almost completely destroyed by the power and actions of these evil beings, partially due to the fact that humans couldn’t work with the Robot Generation because their minds and emotions were controlled by the Super Droids power. Terror ran amuck in the southern region of Thothar again, and Dr. Yvonne knew she had to do something or the world would be destroyed.
She started working on a top secret project codenamed CDZJJJ, or project CD for short. Along with her fellow comrades ZB, NickZ, CounterFlordan, and CoolieJ, they worked nonstop under the most intense conditions underground. With most of the human race destroyed, Dr. Yvonne fused the human DNA of former Robot Generation lead programmer Cornelius Calhoun with an elite lightweight robot armor and named him Vintage Retroman, or V.R. for short. The named was developed because Cornelius loved the retro culture of his youth and spoke frequently about it.
As V.R. went through strenuous training, he gained strength and eventually set out on a mission to defeat the Super Droids! He knew that along with the strength of his armor, it was essential for him to be mentally ready to face the challenges of each Super Droid. As he battled and defeated each SD, he was granted their power! Power over depression, power over anxiety, power over fear, and so on! He would then take the power of overcoming these weaknesses and not only use them against his other enemies, but also grant strength back to the remaining humans in Thothar and give them courage.
Eventually V.R. defeated each leader and it was time for his final showdown with Dr. T-Mac. With his armor weakened from battle inside of a great fortress stronghold, T-Mac was a formidable villain. As hard as Vintage Retroman fought, Dr. T-Mac had years to plan and prepare for this. Every negative attack thrown at V.R. deeply penetrated his armor and damaged him. As T-Mac prepared to destroy him, in the 11th hour she felt weakness from within and her stronghold shook violently. What was happening she thought?
Dr. Yvonne remembered that T-Mac’s stronghold had a weakness. She remotely cracked into T-Mac’s computer system and disabled all of her weapons. Vintage Retroman mustered up enough strength to grab his blaster and deliver the final blow to T-Mac the terrible and the evil empire!
As the team that created the CDZJJJ project searched for Vintage Retroman, they eventually found him. He was beaten, battered and scorn almost to the point of death. They picked him up and carried him back to the lab.
As Dr. Yvonne removed his burnt up cracked armor, she look into the eyes of Cornelius Calhoun. “It’s finally over sir, you did it Cornelius. You saved Thothar!” As he looked up at her he stated “We did it Dr. Yvonne” with a slight smile. As he rested his head, Dr. Yvonne slowly reached down and kissed him in his weakened state. “I hope this gives you strength” she said with a smile. Cornelius was pleasingly shocked and said, “I didn’t even know you liked me.” Dr. Yvonne responded “Well, i couldn’t admit it because as you know i am no damsel in distress. I’m just as much in the fight against evil as you are. Now that the fight is over, let’s rebuild this world, and our lives together!” Cornelius responded “I’d love that!”, and they held each other and enjoyed the peace for a change. This is my story. Signing off for now,
V.R.
I have always admired people with talent that are not afraid of thinking outside the box when using their gifts. After watching this medley, i was highly impressed!
The combination of instrumentation with their vocals creates a feeling of both retro and modern nostalgia! I watched this video several times!
The transition of the songs are excellent, and i love the costumes they created for the performance. Very impressive, creative idea. Musically superb! Do yourself a favor and take time to check this out! Signing off,
V.R. (Also, checkout and download the super cool FREE Inbox Dollar app! I highly recommend it for gamers and those that like interactive apps! 🙂
A retro reset, a rebranding of sorts. I truly believe that mentally, i am stuck somewhere between the early 80’s and late 90’s! I have now been blogging for about 9 months and i am loving it! Despite struggles and hardships in my personal life, i view my blogging as a source of intellectual refuge. I love touching people through originality! From “Pac-Man Poetry” to fiction short stories. From professional reviews to “Memory Lane Moments”, i love presenting people the option to escape the reality of the stresses in adulthood. My whole goal is simply to make you feel like a kid again!
In the spirit of creativity, originality, and content delivery i have decided to completely redesign my site! This is for you, my reader! I hope you find it more user-friendly, with content that is meaningful. Use the search bar to shop for retro items and apparel, all discounted! I hope you all continue to pursue your passions purpose on your individual pages! Remember my slogan: Never let life dictate how far you can make it! I hope you all will be blessed beyond measure! More content is on the way so stay tuned!😀👍
V.R.
From retro themed poetry to moments scrolling down memory lane, I truly love what I do as a writer. When I started http://www.vintageretroman.com, I began a journey of self realization and creativity through writing. I am aware that I do not think or operate like many people. I enjoy everything from Christian Hip-Hop to Pac-Man. I like to wear masks and costumes. I am entertained by everything from Nascar to Marching Bands. Most importantly I love the vintage and retro cultures of the past.
I never would have thought that 100 people would actually see my vision. For many years I did not showcase my writing ability because I simply thought that it was not good enough. I purposefully try to surround myself with other bloggers who are much better than me. It keeps me humble, and I learn so much from them. As I continue on my mission to provide the best content possible for the masses, I want to take a quick moment to hit the pause button and say thank you.
To my 100 followers on my blog, and almost 1000 followers on Instagram, I genuinely appreciate your support. I have been through so many things this year that were negative, but my blogging community has been a true blessing in my life. When I lost my father in March, you have been there. When I was in the hospital 2 weeks ago, you encouraged me. Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for understanding me. I may not be the best at many talents, but rest assure with me you will always get sincerity and authenticity. It is how I live my life and how I will continue on.
Thank you for every like, every kind word, and every thought and prayer. You are appreciated. Please remember, my only goal is to make you feel like a kid again. Operate with passion. Structure your heart with love for others. Remember not to take life too seriously. Lastly, never let life dictate how far you can make it! On to 200 followers! 🙂
V.R.
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I’m about to level up! The term has many meanings in this life. I believe in next level thinking. Always looking ahead. Only reflecting back but never going backwards. Pressing forward, but never forget where you started and where you came from. I believe that the above song by the rap group Social Club Misfits may be a very fitting anthem for all of my game lovers and retro fans out there. The music, the lyrics, and the crowd all get me excited every time I hear this song and watch this video. Yet as I listened to this song, I felt inspired to share a “level up” experience with my readers out there. I will encourage you to search for the hidden meanings in the text, because you do not have to be a gamer to understand the importance of the “level up” experience inside the mind of the gamer.
I recently sat down with a good friend of mine who is a die hard gamer. He decided to keep his real name discreet, but in the gaming community he is known as Mr.Metroid64. I had a chance to do a one on one interview with him, get information and objectively capture a glimpse of the essence of what the inside of the gamer’s mind looks like. What I discovered truly astounded me. I have recorded the official interview for you, my reader:
Vintage Retroman: Thank you for sitting down with me today and taking time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts with me on your perspective of the gaming community and what it stands for.
Mr.Metroid64: No problem, I’m always happy to help! As creator’s we need to lift each other up and help each other you know? I completely and unequivocally understand how important feedback is.
Vintage Retroman: Absolutely! So let’s talk a little bit about specific gaming characters. Who are your favorites off of the top of your head?
Mr. Metroid64: Man, there are so many. I would say Samus Aran, Link, Megaman and Mario, for starters. Although they were not the first characters in gaming by any means, they helped revolutionize mainstream gaming over many years.
Vintage Retroman: Very interesting! Lets dive into that a bit. I am going to go one by one and you tell me how each specific character impacted you, starting with Samus Aran from the NES classic, Metroid.
Mr. Metroid64: Well, Samus is a legend in her own right. During a time when there was no female representation of characters on the gaming stage in the mid 1980’s, Nintendo broke the gender barrier with making Samus the central hero in Metroid. When you think about the decade that this happened in, it was a defining moment because she is the original “gamer girl.” Her story, a child who had her life stolen from her and left with virtually nothing, was adopted and embraced by a new culture. Within the story, The Federation Police who trained her to be a warrior and eventually defeat Mother Brain and save the universe is so compelling. In my eyes, essentially the story of Metroid is one that says “You’re not alone, and it’s okay to be different.”
Vintage Retroman: Wow! That is some deep stuff! I appreciate your insight! So next on your list is one of my favorite characters of all time, which is Link from the Legend Of Zelda. Tell me your thoughts on how Link affected you growing up?
Mr. Metroid64: To be brave and courageous in this life can be a daunting task at times. Link is the epidome of the “Heroes” Hero. From the beginning of the original Legend Of Zelda for the NES, as Link entered the cave with the old man, the words still echo through my head, “It’s dangerous to go alone, take this.” From the moment young Link hoisted up the wooden sword, and the player heard that heroic jingle, it still gives me goosebumps. There are life lessons we can learn from games like Zelda, because they tell a great story. One of heroism, love, compassion, loyalty, and persistence in failure. I died so many times in Zelda it is not even funny. There are truly life lessons in the amazing story of how Link loved princess Zelda, and how he would slay every creature from Moblins to Tektites in the Kingdom Of Hyrule, to rescue his damsel in distress. That evil Gannon was and still is no match, for the great green clothed warrior Link!
Vintage Retroman: Wow, incredible insight into the world of Hyrule! You know I remember being a little kid, making a homemade wooden sword from my dad’s 2×4′ wood planks in our shed, and taking the metal trash can top and running around my back yard as if it were Hyrule Field. I would battle fictitious Octoroks, all while humming the Hyrule song. You brought me back to that time. Thank you!
Mr. Metroid64: No problem! That is what it is all about, the nostalgia you get in the gaming frame of mind V.R. 🙂
Vintage Retroman: Very true, very true. Next up, you mentioned a man that my actual logo was framed after, didn’t you? The fighting robot himself! The most mega of any man in the robot universe, Megaman!
Mr. Metroid64: Megaman is definitely one of the most influential game hero’s of all time. The half robot figure created by Dr. Light in year 20xx is a fan favorite for so many reasons. In my mind though, there is a deeper meaning behind simply defeating a robot master and taking his power. What makes Megaman unique is the way that he studies his enemies. He is about fighting for what he believes in and learning from mistakes, so he can adapt better to his surroundings. That is a life lesson that many of us could use these days. Attack the enemies of depression, self doubt, and anxiety. Then turn around and take their powers from bad and use them for good to help others. It is easier to attack someone’s depression when you have battled being depressed and been victorious over it. It is called a testimony. Megaman taught me to be strategic in the battles that I have fought, and how to take the bad and use it for good. Do you know what I am saying V.R.?
Vintage Retroman: I completely understand and agree. The first time that I beat Cutman in the original game and took his power to shoot those small scissors out of my gun, I was so excited. Now, I am even more excited because you have given me a different perspective. Since I have been damaged in the past and have conquered bad situations, I vow to use the weapons of goodness and positive thinking that I have acquired over the years to help others in their fight’s and struggles. Good stuff Mr. Metroid64
Mr. Metroid64: Think nothing of it Vintage Retroman. 🙂
Vintage Retroman: So last on your short list you mentioned none other than the legend himself, Super Mario! I am anxiously anticipating how in the world the plumber in red clothes with the M on his hat could have possibly had a profound impact on your life. 🙂
Mr. Metroid64: Ok, so think about the original Super Mario Bro’s for the Nintendo Entertainment System right? Now fast forward to 2017 with the release of the beautiful Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch. Where has Mario not been? He started in the Mushroom Kingdom, but he has been all around the world, and even out of this world to different planets in Super Mario Galaxy. He has fought Goomba’s and Koopa Troopa’s from the sunny shores in Super Mario Sunshine, to the icy tundra’s in Mario 64 and many other games. He has went missing. He has taught kids how to type in Mario Teaches Typing. He has been a doctor in Dr. Mario. He has been a professional boxing referee (See Mike Tyson’s Punchout for the NES). What has Mario not done? He recently even stared in a game called Super Mario Maker, where millions of gamer’s worldwide can create new levels for him to complete! Mario has simply taught me to enjoy life. Try new things, expand and grow, and never be stale. Do great things, while still being yourself and letting nothing or no one change who you are.
Vintage Retroman: Wow, this is a take on Mario that I have never thought about before! Thank you Mr. Metroid64. I have always enjoyed the Super Mario series, and even before that when it was simply Mario Bros. Great perspective on the red plumber! Well, I know our time is up and thank you for everything.
Mr. Metroid64: No problem Vintage Retroman. May I ask you one question before we adjourn our meeting? Why do you think that sometimes, people have the perception of the gaming community that we are just nerds, geeks, that play games all day and do not understand real life? I mean, we have jobs, families, and lives too. Why is that?
Vintage Retroman: It is my opinion Mr. Metroid64, that they just simply don’t understand our culture or influence as gamers. The gaming and retro communities are close knit. It does not matter where you are from, what age you are (or as we call it, what level you have reached), or whether you are primarily retro or an all around gamer. In our community from my experience, the color of your skin does not matter. Male or female, doesn’t matter. Single or married, does not matter. We are not a cult. We are simply a community of people who are united by the feelings of nostalgia and fun in gaming! Whether it’s Sonic The Hedgehog 1 or the new God Of War for the PS4, we just want to level up! Level up in gaming, as we level up in age. Collectively we support each other to level up in life. That is my take on it. Thank you for the question. 🙂
Mr. Metroid64: Thank you for your time as well Vintage Retroman!
Vintage Retroman: To my readers, this is Vintage Retroman and Mr. Metroid64, signing off for now.
V.R.
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Truth and realization of the world around us are something we all experience at some point in our lives. How many times as adults have we come to the conclusion that our perception’s are not reality? Our worldview is shaped by many different influences. It may be our parents, other family members, teachers, church members, or a number of other outside influences that affect the way we view life. That is what this song is all about, and I love it!
This song reminds me of my childhood, and it most likely will take most of you back to the past as well. I still remember growing up and watching shows on TV feeling like that was real life. I was so naive with love as an adolescent and a young adult, feeling like marriage would be like a ferry tale. That is, until i went through a divorce a few years ago and learned the rough side of love. Growing up I thought my family was a perfect replica of the Cosby show in the 1980’s, until one day 20+ years later my father broke down and told me i had 2 other siblings i had never met. I am sure that was difficult for my father to tell me, but i always respected him for doing it. I thought people were generally good and accepting, until i fell on hard times and many of my “friends” deserted me. I thought social media was how most people really lived, until i realized that mostly everyone puts their best face on for the camera. Now i know better.
I learned that although all that glitters isn’t made of gold, there is still a sparkle in the glitter. We may go through hard times, but there is beauty in the struggle. We may weep in the night, but joy comes in the morning. The sooner we understand that life is more than a rollercoaster but an amusement park, the better. What i mean is that there are several unpredictable games and rides, not just one. The key is in my value statement, “Never let life dictate how far you can make it.” Life has it’s twist and turns, but God can and will straighten the paths if you have faith in Him. When some piece of truth comes in and rocks your world, do not freeze in fear. It is part of your experience and God is using it for good. Remember, if you let your life dictate how far you can make it, it is easy to stop striving because you may feel that your past and current experiences are what defines you, and that’s not true. You were made for excellence. You are special. Everything happens for a reason. Respect that, confess that, and digest that. Signing off for now.
V.R.
One is Nerdy, the other is Squirdy. Their name itself made me want to inquire more. The dynamic duo of delightful gaming, The power couple of retro fun, Yet when you look deeply into their content they are so much more than just casual gamers on YouTube. They have something special to aspire to. That something special is more than just Nerdy’s pixel Link shirt or Squirdy’s glass of wine. Stay with me.
One day as I was searching along my Instagram page, I came across Nerdy and Squirdy. I immediately thought, this is a pretty interesting and unique couple. I quickly hit the follow button because I loved the idea of a couple having fun with a retro theme. As I scrolled their Instagram page and later their YouTube channel, I admired the title screens and thumb up, thumb down reviews. The facial expressions they gave on certain games make me laugh, because they are so passionate and animated about the content. Just read the profile description below from their Instagram page. It speaks volumes on who you are about to follow, and the entertainment you are about to receive!
One of the many characteristics I admire about Nerdy and Squirdy is their work ethic. They really put so much passion and effort into carefully creating quality content on their site and channel. I respect anyone who’s able to genuinely connect with their audience though any type of media because this is truly a gift. They grant reviews, run quality livestream video’s, contests and giveaways, and so much more through their channel. I also love the highlighted days like #FanFridays, where the viewer has the opportunity to pick the game in which they review. Pretty awesome!
Although I have shared some great qualities about the work of this couple, those qualities are not the “special” characteristics I referred to earlier in this review. What makes them special in my opinion is the love they share. You can tell that they are best friends in life! It’s authentic and shows on the screen in their videos. Just think, when the camera turns off, there is life, work, kids, and everything else just like there is with all of us. When we heard Squirdy speaking about dropping the kids off at school, my wife and I could relate! Through the daily hustle and grind, we each have to remember that life is short and we need to live each day to our fullest potential.
I highly recommend that you check out Nerdy and Squirdy’s YouTube channel, even if you are not a gamer. With this couple, you get so much more than just game content. They talk about life. They present underlying messages of family, fun, and friendship. In my eyes they are a power couple because they stay true to their passion and purpose. May we all find our calling, put in the hard work and knowledge to obtain it and live life to the fullest. Signing off for now.
V.R.
From the moment the VHS tape was inserted into the VCR, I knew it was something special. Then I saw the old school vintage style television with the turn knobs and got excited! The young version of Christian rapper Andy Mineo wearing the 1980’s style Adidas red jacket, priceless. Finally, watching a young Lecrae, playing Nintendo with a retro style hoodie over his hat, I knew this video was going to be something special.
Sure the late 1980’s, early 1990’s references are fantastic. The video snippets of an old school laundry mat, the arcade scene of kids playing Pac-Man, and the kids riding bikes may even put the viewer in the mindset of something that you would see on the popular Netflix show Stranger Things. I love the delivery of the visual messages in the video. It does a great job of bringing me back to my own childhood. Back to a simpler time where kids rode bikes and played outside. Then there is the lyrical message.
“Say I won’t, why ya’ll scared to be different? And I bet I will, you can say I wont!” It’s a fun song, how Hip-Hop used to be throughout the 80’s and most of the 90’s. When Andy Mineo states “Say I won’t rap over bag pipes? Say I won’t talk about that price? To know Christ and live life like every night is my last night woah?” I chuckled at the delivery, and then realized that i appreciate anyone being true to themselves and their faith. Although the song is silly in nature, the subliminal messages from both rappers are fantastic in this song! In a Hip-Hop culture today dominated by clothes, wealth, and fame, I love how Christian rapper Lecrae starts his verse. He creatively states “Say I won’t sell my shoes and take my kids to Chuckie Cheese with the money? Say I won’t bring my own bottle of Pellegrino to the movies with me, say I won’t? Pellegrino is some refreshing mineral water, I must agree Lecrae. 🙂
I love this song! The reason I love this song, is because it is counter cultural and takes a bold stand for positivity in a primarily negative Hip-Hop culture today. It let’s children know that it is not only okay to be an anomaly in today’s society, but more importantly it gives the listener confidence to question others about being part of the status quo! I have 4 children myself, and I play this song for my kids all the time. I believe that both children and adults should realize that their God given potential grants them the ability to be different. I believe that if God wanted us to be like everybody else, He would have created us all the same. So ask yourself the question, why would you want to be like everyone else? Dare to be different! Do you not realize that you were created not to fit in, but to stand out? You are special! You do matter! You are here on this earth for a reason! Do something original and creative today, and if someone doubts you, simply say to them “Say I won’t?”
V.R.
Welcome 